Revolving door.



C- T. DAWES.

REVOLVING 0008.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. ll. I916.

' 34 humann'lqu liliittiili nslj WITNE88E8 I Q Q1 o -Pc;

Patented July 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

' ATTORNEYS atented July 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. T. DAWES.

REVOLVING DOOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. n, 19w.

1 73,463. Patented July 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES W ATTORNEYS omens r. DAWES, or JOHNSTOWN, NEW YORK.

REVOLVING- DOOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1918.

Application filed January 11. 1916. Serial No. 71,419.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, CLAUDE T. DAwns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Johnstown, in the county of Fulton and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Revolving Doors, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in revolving doors, and has for one of its objects the provision of such a construction that entrance and egress can be more easily effected than in the usual type of revolving door in which each of the fixed portions of the casing subtcnds an angle of about 90 degrees. It often happens in doors of the last-named type, when revolving rapidly, with many people passing in both directions, that persons will refuse to enter a vacant space because of the insufficient time left after a person going in the opposite direction has stepped out of it. Many sections thus pass by unoccupied at a time when the door should be used to the utmost extent. The result of my improved construction is to produce a door in which a straighter, shorter and easier course of travel for the individual user is provided. The user will thus be prepared to step out in less time than in the case of the present type of revolving door, while less effort will be required on his part, since it will be necessary to push the door a considerably less distance.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for effectually closing any direct passageway for the entrance of air into the building in all positions of the rotatable parts of the door.

Other objects of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein are shown certain of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, showing one embodiment f my in ent on;

Fig. 2 is a view of a section taken along the line II, II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of a section taken along the line III, III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the top of a revolving door embodying my invention:

Fig. 5 represents a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 1, in which the fixed portions of the casing are placed in a different position with respect to the wall of a building;

Fig. 6 is a view in section showing a modified form of my invention, in which three wings instead of four are used;

Fig. 7 is a plan view, showing a modified form of mechanism for controlling the operation of the door;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the top of a door embodying the modification of Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 is a detail thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters relate to similar parts throughout the several figures, 1 denotes the spindle or the axis of the revolving portion of the door. To this spindle are attached wings 2, 3, 4 and 50f any desired construction, and which, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, are disposed at right angles about the spindle 1. 6, 6 represent fixed casings connected to the sides of an opening in the wall 7 of a building. Each of the casings is composed of inner n'iembers 8 and outer members 9. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, each of the members 6 snbtends an angle of about l5 degrees'instead of 90 degrees, as in the usual. form of doors of this type. Also in this figure, each casing is placed tangentially at its middle point to the opening in the wall of the building, while in the modification shown in Fig. 5, each casing is connected at one of its ends to the wall.

It will be seen that, with the above described construction, there will be periods during the rotation of the wings of the door in which there will bea free passage into the building. From observation I have con-- cluded that when the wings are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the space between the outer edge of the wing 2 and the outer edge of the righthand casing 6, as well as the corresponding space on the other side of the door are unusable, and the time which it takes the door to pass over them is lost. No person will be likely to attempt to the space between the wings 2 and 3 whenthey are in the position shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, when the wing Qreaches this 'josition, the space between it and the edge oiithe casing might just as well be completely closed, and my invent-ion provides means tor olosingit,therebynfaliing' it unnecessary to extend the casing6 through a greater angle than about 45 degrees. The requirements of the member which closes the above mentioned opening are that it shall come out toineet the 'w'ing Q'When the latter is in the position shown inflFigf 1, just before the wing 3 passes 'outof contactwith the surface ofthe casing;' otherwise there would be an open passagewayinto the building. It will be understood, of course, that the edges of thewings are provided'witlrthe usual pieces of"flexible -'material, which brush over the inner surfaces of the casing memberstoform' a 'close -fitting joint, and prevent direct communication between the internal and external air.

"As an illustration of one construction which may be used for closing the opening in the doorway 'at"pr oper-times, there are "shown two movable casings or arcs' 10, each carried by 't\ vo= arms ll and 12 of a spider at the top of the spindle of the door. ThearCsZlO are adapt'ed to pass intoor outof thefixed casingsye', 6 through openingsl3,13atthe"outer edges ofthelatter. As"-guidesforthearcs 10', 1O

there are provided rollers" '14 of "any desired number and mounted in any suitable way upon the inside ol'the; casings 6, 6. T o retain the arcs 10,10, Wi'thinthe casings6, 6

E until suchtimesas it isklesired they shall be released, alatch 15,0ne end 16' or which is forcedouuward'from the casing by means of a spring 17,-is provided for each casing. Theendlti of the latch is adapted to be en- 5 gagedfby the flexible members 18,1-on the outer edges ofthe wings, or in case these 1nembers"do not possess the requisite stilli'iess, stud maybe placedon the edge of each wing in a postion' to engage the menu 1 her 16 asthe wing passes thereby.

For the purpose-ofmoving the arcs 10, 10 out of the casingsli, 6' when the' lat ches disengaged from them, there is provided the construction shown most clearly in Fi g. 2, in whichl9 represents a hollo-wcasing to which the" spider arms 11 "and -12"are attached. This casing is placed aboutthe pivot 20 of the spindle l. "21" represents a spiral spring attached at itsinner end to the pivot 20, as

' atj22, while its oute'r endis "fined 'to the casi'ng l9, as at ;23., This spring is wound in Such -a hianher tl1at asthe' door rotates in the direbtion of the arrow,"shoWnin Fig. l, the tension of the spring W lll ibe increased by means to I be hereinafter described.

A or 't'he purpose of adjusting the pressure 0 15the pitotQO upon the spindle L the '26, and in-which is fitted a hexagonal extension 29 on the end of the pivot 20. The

l purpose ofthis last described construction is to prevent the plug from turning when it is raised or lowered by altering the position of the member 25. 'Thelatter member is adapted to be set in any desired position of adjustment" by" means ofscrews 30. r

It" willjbe obvious from the construction shown" in f Fig; 1 that 1 as the door rotates in I the direction ofthe arrow ja ndthe wings" 2 and 4E approach their respective-casings 6, 6, the Fares 10,10should be carried along with them, and finallylatehed'within the casings untilreleased at thetime when the wings 2 and't oceupy 'positions 90 degrees'from those shown in' Fig. =1, or whenthey occupy the positions of the wings 3 and 5"res'pectively. As a means for causing movement of the arcs 10;10 when the Wings are rotated, devices of the construction sh'ownin Fig; 3 are provided. Each device comprises a spring-pressed'catclr811nounted in any convenient mannerupon a wing ofthe door, it being understood"that there is one 'of these catches upon each wing. V Eaclrcatch comprises a plunger 32, to the upper end of which is attached a plug38 having a conical end. The plunger and plug are'adap'ted to from the'position' shown in Fig. '1. The

spider, and consequently the arcs 1 0, 10, carriedtl'iereby, will thus be carried along by the rotation of the wingsuntil the'arc's have been forced completely within the casings 6, 6, at which time the respective latches 15,15, will engage notches-38,' 38 in the arcs. Further motion of the wings will force the plugs 38, '33 downward against the action of the springs"35, '35 and u'i'ider the projections 37, 37. The wings will' thuspass on, leaving the arcs 10, 1O latched within-the"casings 6, 6. "During the above described movement of the arcs 10,10, the spring 21-,inthe spider, will be placed undertensien, sothat passing adj acent' thereto,- the spring 1 in un= winding will cause the ares 10, to move outoftheir respective casings 6, 6 in position to be engaged by the edges ofthe next succeeding wings as they reach the position of wings 2 and a in Fig. 1.

Toprovide a close fit between the outer edges of the movable arcs 10, 10 and the flexible strips 18 carried on the edges of the wings, an extension 39 is formed on each are. Under some conditions of use, it may be de sired to retain the arcs in their casings during the operation of the door, and to provide for this contingency, there is placed at the outer edge of each casing a latch 40 in the form of a pin adapted when pushed in to engage an opening 41 in the are 10 to retain the latter in place in the casing, irrespective of any movement of the latch 15.

There is shown diagrammatically in Fig."

5 an arrangement which is, in all respects, similar to that shown in Fig. 1, so far as the mechanism is concerned, but the casing members 6 are placed with one end of each adjacent to the wall 7 This arrangement may be of advantage under certain conditions.

In Fig. 6 there is shown an arrangement in which three wings instead of four are used, the wings being placed at angles of 120 degrees apart. In this case, casing members 6, 6 are shown as subtending angles of 90 degrees each. This form of construction has'the advantage of permitting two persons to pass through the door in each compartment, although the dimensions of the door may be substantially the same as in the usual form of door in which the casing memleers subtend angles of 90 degrees each, but in which there are four wings placed at right angles. It is obvious that in the form of construction shownin Fig. 6 it is necessary to provide arcs 10, 10 for the samepurp'ose as previously described; otherwise there would be a directpassageway into the build ing at certain positions of the wings.

To meet the different conditions arising I when the modification shown in this figure is used, the two arcs 10', 10 cannot be suspended from'opposite arms of the same spider, as in the construction shown in Fig.v 1, for the reason that when the left-hand are to a lever 16 in such a manner that when the latter is pressed inwardly against a spring 17' by any one of the wings the are 10 held, by the latch will be released.

In order that a second person in a C0111- Having described the construction of certain. en'lbodiments of my invention the mode of operation thereot may be briefly reviewed. A person desiring to pass through the door and finding the wings in the position shown in Fig. 1 will enter the compartment between wings 2 and 5, and proceed to push the former wing in the direction of the arrow. The catch 31 on the wing 2 will be in contact at this time with the projection 37 on the arm 11 oi the spider, and thus the latter will be turned, carrying with it the are 10, which will be gradually pushed into its casing (3. At the same time, the motion of the spider will increase the tension of the spring 2]. in the hollow portion 19 of the spider. When the are 10 has been completely returned within its casing, the latch 15 engages the notch 38, and since no further movement oi tl i are is possible, continued motion of the wings will force the plug 3?, to pass beneath the pro jection 37 and the wing 2 will pass on with its flexible edge sweeping over the inner surface 8 of the casing 6. Finally the edge oi wing 2 engages the arm 16 of the latch, causing the latter to release the are 10, which will, under the influence of spring 21., move out of its casing to meet the edge o'l wing 5, which, at this time, will occupy the former position oi wing 2. as shown in Fig. 1.

Further motion otthe wings will enable the user to pass out of the compartment in which he has been moving through the doorway. It will be understood, oi course, that operations similar to those described above will occur simultaneously at the other side of the door, regardless of whether or not another person is passing through in the opposite direction.

In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 is shown a modification of apparatus for controlling the motion of the arcs 10 which are, as in the embodiment shown in the other figures, suspended from the arms 1.1. and '12 ot a spider which is moved by a spring 21 as in Fig. 2. WVings 2. 3, l, and 5, and fixed casings 6, 6 having rollers lei, as in Fig. 1, are provided.

Above the door is placed the usual ceiling member 50, beneath which is a plate 51 for supporting certain apparatus to be described hereinafter.

' Mounted upon opposite arms of the spider in any convenient manner are plungers 52 each normally pressed upwardas'by means of a spring 53 against the 'surface'of a track 54 secured to the under side of plate 51. A roller 55 is provided to reduce friction when 'the plunger moves relatively to the track 54s as it is caused to do by one of the wings of V the door engaging the plunger when the '10 spider carrying the same has beenbro ug ht tothe position shown in Fig; 1, in'which the arcs are withdrawn from their respective casings. When in this position'the plunge'rs project into the path ofxthe wings and motion of the latter causes the arcs to be care ried into their respective casings.

v such movement therollers traverse the tracks untileach one comes underneath an aperture 56 cut in the plate .51 at the end of the track. This occurs at the time when the arcs'iO have been returned completelywlthinf the casings.

Mounted within each aperture andhinged I to the plate 51, as at 57,-is a block 58hav'ing a recess 59in its lower face. Gonnected'to the block 58 isa lever 60, pivo-tedat' 61' and V having a downwardly extending: extremity, 62 passing through an aperture 63in plate V 51- and projecting into the path ofthe wings. 3O By'1neans of a springfit the arm of the lever' attached to-block 58'is normally-raised so; that when the plunger comes under said blockits spring 53 will raise the plunger 7 into the aperture 56, thereby removing its lower end from the path ofthe wings, thus permitting the latterto continue their rotation, butthe spider is held insuch a posi-' tion that the arcs are completely within theirrespective casings. 1-0 When thawings that are traversing-the V inner surfaces of fiXQCl casings 6, 6 are about'to leave the same the arcs 10 should be carried intoth'e' position shown-111mg; 1. This isfeffected in the present modification "with their corresponding casing members,

Ifd'esired a stop 66 may be provide'd'to limit theamplitude of movement of lever Infview of'the foregoing description of.

certain embodiments of niyinventionit will 60 'beseen that Ih'ave produced a structure'fulfilling allfof the objects and possessing all of theadvantages as stated at the beginning of this specification. A person entering the door will not have-to travelso far-'afteifhe Durlngpasses the line of the building wall asindht case of the ordinary construction, infwhich the casing extends within thetbuildin'g for an angle of 45"clegrees. If thedooris'rotating at a somewhat rapid rateithereisa tendency for a'person to 'ho'ld onto'the'wing in front of him fora considerable distance beyond the point where'he maylet' go and Most people push the door with stepout. g the right arm, which is thusplacedacross thejfront-of the'body at the finish of the push, andthis'renderssomewhat more diifi cult theahruptturnto' the right which is necessary for a person tdleave the door.

In'the case'of-my invention, a person can pass out ofa compartment in thedo'or much easier than if foieed to traw' el in' a con; t1nued circular course to get around the 4 edges of a casing; which, as in 'theusual construction, extendswith n the buildlng' atcone siderable d stance? i As many changes could be inadein the above construction and many apparently widely different erhbodimen'ts of this 3 invention' could he-made'without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that sumac ter contained in the 'above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall i be interpreted as illu'stratlve and "not in a limiting sense.

It is also to ybe understood that the a guage used inthei'following claims isf 'inf tended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described" and all" statements of the scope 'ofthe p in-' vention, which, as'za matterof language, might he said to 'fa'llftheieb'etween.

Having describ edmy invention what 1 claim' a's new anddesire tose'cur'e-by Letters Patent is: v r l 1'. 'In a revolving; door, in combination, ro tat'able' wings, fixed arcuate casings therefor,

movable 'arcuate casings associated with said fixed casings, and means whereby said wings in rotating linsure alternate predetennined' movement of said-movable timings therewith and 1 reversely thereto; 1i 7 2. aj revolvingdoor, in combination, rotatable element including radiating wings I disposed atfiXed angles, opposite casing walls" therefor including slidable sections,

and means whereby said sections are caused" alternately to' slideiwith said wings and; 0 I

positel' ter 1n one dIIQCtIOI L I r n V t n V 3. In 'ar'revolvmg door, in, combination, a'

y. thereto during rotation of" the lat rotatable element having radial. wings; op

posite arcu'ate casing walls therefor ineluding movable sections,.: andimeans." whereby said sections" are actuated by wings su'c'-' cessively' during rotation to decnease. inter; mlttently the arcuate d1mens1ons1of j said Walls.

4L. The'coinbinationinarevolvilig dooi,off

a rotatable element having angularly disposed Wings, a casing wall therefor including a movable section, and means to insure limited movement of said section in opposite directions during rotation of said element in one direction.

5. A revolving door including, in combination, a rotatable element having a plurality of radially disposed Wings at fixed angles, op-

in combination, a fixed casing member, a

movable casing member adapted to be moved longitudinally of said fixed member, and spring means adapted to effect relative movement between said casing members.

8. In a revolving door, in combination, a plurality of rotatable wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member movable relative to said fixed member and to said Wings, and means adapted to effect movement of said movable member at predetermined times during the rotation of said Wings.

9. In a revolving door, in combination, a plurality of rotatable Wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member movable relative to said fixed member and to said Wings, means adapted to effect movement of said movable member at predetermined times during the rotation of said wings, and means adapted to limit the extent of such movement.

10. In a revolving door, in combination, a plurality of rotatable wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member mov- .able relative to said fixed member and to said. wings, means adapted to effect movement of said movable member at predetermined times during the rotation of said Wings, and means adapted to render said first means ineffectual.

11. In a revolving door, in combination, a plurality of rotatable wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member movable relative to said fixed member and to said wings, and means urging said movable member to move in a predetermined direction.

12. In a revolving door, in combinagrn, a plurality of rotatable Wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member movable relative to said fixed member and to said wings, means urging said movable member to m'ove in a predetermined direction, and means locking said movable member against such movement.

13. In a revolving door, in combination, a plurality of rotatable wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member movable relative to said fixed member and to said wings, means urging said movable member to move in a predetermined direction, means restraining said movable member against such movement, and means adapted, upon said wings assumin a predetermined position, to render said last mentioned means ineffectual.

14. In a revolving door, in combination, a plurality of rotatable wings, a casing comprising a fixed member and a member movable relative to said fixed member and to said wings, means urging said movable member to move in a predetermined direction, and means adapted at predetermined times during the rotation of said wings to cause movement of said member in the reverse direction.

15. In a device of the character described, in combination, a revolving door comprising a plurality of rotatable wings, fixed casings casings each of which is movable longitudinally relative to one of said fixed casings and to said wings to permit the edges of two oppositely disposed wings to simultaneously register with casing members in all positions of revolution of said door, and means adapted to urge said mov- -able casing to move longitudinally away from said fixed casing.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination, a revolving door comprising a plurality of rotatable wings, a' casing comprising a fixed member subtending an angle less than the angle subtended between adjacent wings and a member movable relative to said fixed member to permit the edges of two oppositely disposed wings to simultaneously register with casing members at all positions of revolution of said door, and manually operative means mounted 011 said fixed member to prevent relative movement between said fixed member and said movable member.

17. In a device of the character de scribed, in combination, a revolving door comprising rotatable wings, a movable casing, means urging said casing to move in one direction, and means whereby movement of said wings efi'ects movement of said casing in the reverse direction and increases the urging force of said first mentioned means.

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, a revolving door comprising a plurality of rotatable wings, a movable casing, and means whereby rotation ofsaid' Wings; through: a predetermined arc= causes said casing to move a like distance in a similar direction, and means adapted, When said Wingstare in a predeterminedvposition to cause said casing to move aupredetermined distance in the opposite direction.

19. In a; device of the character described, in 1 combination; a revolving: door comprising :aaplurality of rotatable Wings, movable casings adapted to rotate inde-' pendently. of said Wings about the axis of rotationwofsaid Wings, supports for said casings comprising a fixed member, and radiating members rotatamy mounted on said fixedmember and-\ attac'hed to said casings.

20. In a device of the character de-* scribed; in combination, .arevolvin'g idoor comprising-n plurality of rotatable wings; movable casings, a support"-for sai'd casings comprising-La fiXed-inember,"radiatingtmem .bers rotata'bly i mounted :on said ifixed memher and attached to said casingsg and spri r'lg' means adapted to ur ge said radiatinomembers and said casings to rotate about said fixed member in a predetermined direction.

21 In a revolving: door, in combination; arotatable spindle, a plurality of WIDgS mounted on said-7' spindle and handles mounted on said I spindle; and-. extending therefrom= intothe compartments between adjacent wings.

22.-A-cas1ng ='for; revolving; doors comprislng, in; combination,- a fixed portion comprising an inner member and an-outer member, and a 'mo-vable portion adapted to be collapsed between Sal-dunner,andouter members of said fiXed porti'on;

23. A casing, for revolving doors "comprising,f in combination; a 1 fixed casing comprising an inner memberandan outer member,

a movable 'c'asinggadapted to'be collapsed into said fixed casing,.and means mounted on said fixed casing adapted-to-liold said movable casing; Wl'D-llih' said fixed casing;

24:. A- casingcforrevolving; doors comprisingain' combination, a fiXedcasi-ng comprising an inner membere and an outer member; a movablexcasing adapted to have; relative movementvw'ith respect to said fixed casing and adaptedt to becomez'collapsed- Within said fixed casing,-- and means mounted on said fiXed casing= to limit theextent of movement of :sa-idw movable V casing in either directions 7 a '25. ln anzapparatus of the character de-" scribed, in combination; aplurality of irotatable-Wings; casings'j formedas arcs of a a circle I: and adapted to be engaged by the edges of said Wings, members associated .With sard casl'ngs andi formed as arcs of latching. saidmembers at the termination of saidreverse movement= thereof; said latching means beingadaptedr to be' re leased at predetermined times motion of said Wings.

26,111 an apparatus olt' the character de-xl scribed, in combination, a pluralityof rota-w table Wings,-casings formed as arcsof a cir cle and adapted to be engaged by the edges of said Wings,-members associated Wit-ll said casings and formed as arcs of subst-antially the same circle, a-support =for -said members; 30 a spring for actuating said support to =cause' said members to be moved wi-th respeet'to said casings to increase :the'spa'ce closed by the same, a'plate having an aperture therein and mountedx above said Wings,- a plunger-' 5 mounted upon said I support, and adapted to project normally into the path o said: Wings, a spring for causing "said plunger to enter the aperture in said plate at prede termined positions-of said-support, and means controlled by movement of said' .wings for releasing said plunger from said aperture at predeterminedpositions'of said Wings.

27; A revolving door comprising, in combination, a-vertical axis, a plurality-of" rotatable members symmetrically disposed about said axis, a pluralityof fixed casings placed c'oncentrica'lly with respect to said. axis and adapted to be; contacted by-the outer edges ofsaid rotatablemembers-each of'said casings subtend'ing" an angle less than that between adjacent rotatable 'mem bers, a slidable member associated ivith e'ach fixed -casing and adapted to add tothe an gle subtended bythe latter, a' support'for' said sli dable members, a springpactuated plunger mounted upon said support,- means normally holding said plunger in the path} of i said rotatable members, but containing? an aperture through I Which-said plunger" may be Withdrawn" from said path? andi means j for automaticallyrestoring said plunger to normal position" dependent upon" the position of said rotatable members.

In testimony whereof- I 'affiX-myf signature,"in the presence of. tvvo Witnesses."

CLAUDE r. :oavrnsl- GQQEQFM thie'nat m T flxg obtained fcrt-iiiie eeutseaelg byaddresshig their!Commissioner?'offraltents}a w Washingtom- 1 fifi 1 

